The No. 6 University of Florida soccer team (8-1-1, 2-0 SEC) returns home after five consecutive road matches to face its first Southeastern Conference Western Division rival in Mississippi State (7-4, 0-2 SEC). Match time is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1 at the James G. Pressly Stadium. Admission is free for all 2010 Gator soccer regular-season matches.
| Friday’s Match Info: | ||
| No. 6 Florida (8-1-1, 2-0 SEC) versus Mississippi State (7-4, 0-2 SEC) Friday, Oct. 1 @ 7 p.m. (ET) Site: James G. Pressly Stadium (4,500) The Coaches: Becky Burleigh, 16th season @ UF (354-94-30/20 seasons overall - 272-71-24/UF), Neil Macdonald, 11th season overall and 7th season at MSU (191-108-15/overall & 42-74-10 MSU) Television: none Radio: live on WRUF SportsRadio 850 Tickets: free admission
Match Promotions: Kicking for the Cure T-Shirt Giveaway – The first 400 fans receive pink t-shirts that the Gator Soccer team individually tie-dyed!; Fireworks are scheduled for post-match; Five $100 Gator SportsShop gift card raffle; Florida Futbolers and Gator Buddies t-shirt pick-up and halftime pizza party Check out the Gator Outlook for a complete list of promotions for Friday’s match. |
Friday’s match is Florida’s “Kicking for the Cure” match as the Gators look to raise breast cancer awareness. The Gator team gathered in mid-September and created 400 pink tie-dye shirts. Those shirts will be given out to the first 400 fans at Friday’s match. Fans can enjoy a display of fireworks following Friday’s match. In addition, there will be five $100 Gator Sportshop gift cards raffled away. The Florida Futbolers and Gator Buddies will have their t-shirt pick-up and halftime pizza party.
Last year, Florida and Mississippi State played to a 1-1 2OT tie in Starkville, Miss. Kat Walsh put the Bulldogs on top in the 19th minute and the Gators knotted the score in the 85th minute when Lindsay Thompson hit a penalty kick. It was the first tie in the 11 all-time meetings between the two teams.
The Gators opened SEC play with a pair of 2-0 road wins. The first came at Kentucky Friday evening, with both goals coming in the second half. Sophomore Erika Tymrak scored in the 47th minute and the final goal was headed in by Tahnai Annis in the 81st minute. On Sunday, the Gators used a goal in each half to post the 2-0 win at Vanderbilt. Freshman Taylor Travis scored first with McKenzie Barney adding the second in the 79th minute. Travis picked up the SEC Freshman Player of the Week honor following her performance Sunday. The shutouts moved UF goalkeeper Katie Fraine to first on Florida’s career solo shutouts list at 22. The previous record of 21 was set by Jordan Kellgren (1999-02).
Mississippi State lost a pair of matches in the state of Alabama last weekend. Auburn defeated MSU 3-1 on Friday and Alabama shutout the Bulldogs 2-0 on Sunday. The Bulldogs started the season with wins in six of its opening seven matches, including five straight victories, but has lost three of its last four outings. Sophomore Rachel Wannek and freshman Elisabeth Sullivan lead MSU with 11 points as each has turned in four goals and three assists in 2010 action.
Friday’s match can be heard on WRUF SportsRadio 850, by simulcast on Cox Channel 946 (Gainesville/Ocala) or on www.GatorZone.com with Adam Schick and Matthew Stubbington covering the action. Live, streaming video is available on GatorVision Online – check out the GatorVision on www.GatorZone.com for complete information.
